2005 Nissan Xterra

Nissan introduces its second-generation Xterra sport utility in the 2005 model year. The first-generation version debuted in 1999 and struck a chord with those looking for a true off-road vehicle with smaller proportions.

Both generation Xterrra's start with a rugged, truck-like body-on-frame design useful on road but especially off-road. Its size can be best described as falling between a true compact and true mid-size sport utility. Chad Kirchhoff, Regional Sales Operations Manager for Nissan and based in Aurora describes the updates from the first to second generation as an evolution rather than a revolution.

Kirchhoff and several other Nissan representatives invited Chicago-area auto journalists to the Lake Barrington area last month for brief overview and ride through horse country in the Xterra, now available at dealers.

The folks at Nissan had plenty to smile about. The 2004 fiscal year ended in March (April 2004-March 2005) and Nissan North American reached a new record in sales with 1,013,295 vehicles sold. The redesigned Xterra posted an 18 percent increase in March 2005 compared with March 2004. The vehicle went on sale in February.

For those counting, Nissan has four sport utility vehicles in the 2005 lineup: Xterra, the mid-size Pathfinder, full-size Armada and urban crossover Murano.

Major Xterra changes in 2005 include a more powerful V-6 engine, a six-speed manual transmission borrowed from the Nissan Z sports car, double-deck glove box and the elimination of a four-cylinder powertrain which Nissan admits only accounted for about 5 percent of total sales.

Xterra needed refreshoning just to keep up with added competition. In 1999, the number of SUV nameplates sold was less than 40. Today, the number has passed 70.

The 2005 incarnation is slightly longer (.03 inches) and taller (1.2 inches) than before.

Three trim levels are available: S, SE Off Road and SE. The S trim level, projected to be the volume leader, will account for approximately 60 percent of sales. The off-road trim will garner 20 percent of sales while the SE will account for the rest. All three trims come with the choice of 4 x 2 or 4 x 4 configurations. The four-wheel drive is expected to slightly outsell two-wheel drive editions.

The new Xterra utilizes a modified version of the off-road F-Alpha platform used in the full-sized Nissan Titan pickup and the full-sized Armada sport utility platform tailored to suit this need. All Xterra trims include side-impact air bags, four-wheel antilock brakes and electronic brake force distribution standard.

As with the first generation, this 2005 incarnation is a five-seater. Cloth seating comes standard. Second row seats fold down with a 60/40 split. A stadium seat design has the second row a tad bit taller than the front bucket seats. In Off-Road and SE models, the front passenger seat back folds flat allowing more cargo carrying flexibility.

The sole powertrain in 2005 is a 4.0-liter double overhead cam V-6 engine cranking out 265 horsepower, up substantially from the 180 horses in the first generation's naturally aspirated V-6 engine. This is a increased displacement version of Nissan's VQ engine series available in the Altima and Maxima sedans. This engine is specifically tuned for SUV and truck application.

While the off-road abilities of Xterra were not put to the test, its on-road behavior is much more civilized than its predecessor.

Exterior changes to Xterra were subtle. Those familiar with the first-generation Xterra will have no trouble recognizing this second-generation effort. Returning is a 'kicked roof' that bumps up a bit taller in back of the driver area and a cargo door with a boxed region that bulges out.

Pricing starts at $20,800 for a two-wheel-drive S edition with manual transmission and jumps to $27,300 for a four-wheel-drive SE with the new electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission.

Probably the closet competitor in this compact off-road segment is Jeep's entry four-wheel-drive exclusive Wrangler with a starting price of $20,075 for the lowest-priced V-6 model.

Nissan assembles Xterra in Smyrna, Tennessee. Fuel economy checks in around 17 miles per gallon city and 22 highway, which is better than the V-6 engine offered in 2004